Site CAP02: Pocahontas State Park

Description

Although the 7,500 acres of Pocahontas State Park are largely covered with eastern deciduous forest, there are actually a variety of habitats including wetlands, lakes and ponds, grassy openings, and stands of old pine trees. In addition to a 2.5-mile walking trail, the park contains 24.9 miles of designated bicycle trails, which penetrate virtually all of the park's major habitats.
During summer, Beaver Lake Trail has a variety of birds including several species of nesting flycatchers and wetland birds. Just above the dam, look along the rock piles for spotted sandpiper. A popular viewing area is the spillway at the east end of Beaver Lake. The lake hosts a diversity of dragonflies and damselflies during the summer and provides refuge for wintering waterfowl such as bufflehead and ring-necked duck. Flocks of wild turkey and numerous white-tailed deer can also be seen throughout the park year-round. Nighttime visitors may be fortunate enough to hear owls, and see nocturnal mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and striped skunk.

Directions

Return to Courthouse Road and turn left (South). Travel on Courthouse Road for 6.5 miles. Turn right onto SR 10/Iron Bridge Road; drive for 1.0 mile. Turn right on Beach Road and travel for 4.0 miles to the park entrance on the right.